Chapter 35: America in World War II
Identifications
A. Philip Randolph
A. Philip Randolph was a leader of the African American Civil Rights movement in the 1940s. He was a socialist and created the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. He also led the movement for FDR to ban discrimination in labor in 1941 during World War 2.
George S. Patton
George S. Patton was the general of the US Army during WWII. He commanded the 7th US Army and later the 3rd US army in Europe during WW2. He attended Virginia Military institute and the US Military Academy.
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was born in March 14,1879. He was a German theoretical physicist who created the theory of relativity and was best known for quantum physics. He also received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.
Office of Price Administration
The Office of Price Administration was created by the US governemt on August 28, 1941 to control money and rent during WWII. FDR passed this to stabilize and control the economy during war.
Fair Employment Practice Commission
The Fair Employment Practices Commission was created by Executive Order 8802. This was used to help minorities, especially African Americans, to get jobs during the war. It was part of the Fair Employment Practices Committee.
D-Day
D-Day was the landing of Normandy, France by the allied forces. It was on June 6, 1944. It was the largest amphibious landing is history. It was part of Operation Overlord and the retaking of Europe.
V-E Day
V-E Day was victory Europe Day. It was on May 8th, 1945. This was when Germany formally surrendered and ended Hitler’s Third Reich. This happened after Hitler committed suicide on April 30th.
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was created to make atomic bombs during WW2. It included the US, UK, and Canada. It was led by General Leslie Groves of the US Army Engineer corp. It created the bombs used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Braceros
This was a program between the US and Mexico. It was started by FDR to import Mexican immigrants to work in the US. This was finialized by President Manuel Avila Camacho of Mexico on 1947.
Guided Reading Questions
The Allies Trade Space for Time
Know: Germany First
1. "America's task was far more complex and back-breaking [in World War II] than in World War I." Explain.
Pearl Harbor brought America out of isolationism. America wanted war with Japan first but FDR wanted to fight Germany first. This was because they had to fight Germany to save Britain or else Europe was lost. This changed industry for total war and helped the economy. FDR called this plan Germany First.
The Shock of War
Know: Axis Powers, Internment Camps, Korematsu v. U.S.
2. How did the war affect liberal ideals and goals at home?
Most of the US hated Japanese Americans. Many were sent to internment camps to protect them from rogues on the street. The other motive was distrust. The Japanese Americans were repaid through Korematsu v US where each family was given $20,000 dollars back for being in the internment camps.
Building the War Machine
Know: War Production Board, War Labor Board
3. What effects did the war have on manufacturing, agriculture and labor?
The Great Depression was ended by the war. More than $100 billion was made in 1942. The War Production Board took control of industry and made everything more focused on war and not civilian needs. They controlled passenger cars, gasoline, and rubber. This also helped agriculture because new equipment was invented to increase harvest. People also got jobs because labor unions could not strike and wages were lowered to increase the amount of jobs available.
Makers of America: The Japanese
Know: Matthew Perry, Meiji Government, Picture Brides, Gentleman's Agreement, Issei, Nissei
4. In what way can it be said that the reason's for Japanese immigrants' success also caused them trouble?
Japanese immigrants had a lot of success in US up until the point of Pearl Harbor. This made many of them under suspicion. Because the US was suspicious of spies in the Western states, many Japanese were put into camps to keep them away from the American public so they could not help Japan.
Manpower and Womanpower
Know: WAACS, WAVES, SPARS, GI, Braceros, Rosie the Riveter
5. What opportunities were opened to women as a result of the war?
216000 women served in WWII. The most famous were in the WAACS, WAVES, and SPARS. Women took up male jobs when they left for the war. These included industry jobs that built tanks, planes, and ships. These women were called Rosie the Riveter. They gained respect and proved themselves.
Wartime Migrations
Know: A. Philip Randolph, Fair Employment Practices Commission, Double V, CORE, Code Talkers, Zoot Suit Riots
6. What effect did the war have on the nation's minorities?
African Americans moved to the North and the West during WWII. A. Philip Randolph led them to Washington and fought against discrimination. FDR banned discrimination in response. Fair Employment Practices Commission enforced the discrimination ban. Blacks were given jobs such as cooks and truck drivers and when the war was won, they declared Double V. Double V was victory against racism and overseas. Native Americans were used as Code Talkers during the war because their language could not be deciphered.
Holding the Homefront
7. What economic effects resulted from American participation in the war?
The US came out of the depression. Profits and product was increased. Also income was increased. However, the nation’s debt increased to $259 billion. Many people were forced to pay more taxes but some paid on credit.
The Rising Sun in the Pacific
Know: Douglas MacArthur, Bataan Death March
8. Describe Japanese victories in the Pacific in the months following Pearl Harbor.
After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, they overtook and captured Guam, Wake Island, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaya, Burma, East Indies, and much of China. Douglas MacArthur was the general that was supposed to defend the Philippines. However, he failed and the Bataan Death March was the result.
Japan's High Tide at Midway
Know: Battle of the Coral Sea, Midway, Chester Nimitz
9. Why was Midway an important battle?
The first big battle between Japan and the US was the Battle of the Coral Sea. This was fought with aircraft carriers. Adm. Chester Nimitz led the US fleet into the Battle of Midway. They surprised the Japanese and sunk 4 of their aircraft carriers. The Battle of Midway was important because that was where Japanese expansion was stopped.
American Leapfrogging Toward Tokyo
Know: Guadalcanal, Island Hopping, Guam
10. What strategy did the United States use to defeat the Japanese?
The strategy the US used was to take islands around Japan. This was called island-hopping and its objective was to take islands and build airbases on them. One of the most important victories in this campaign was Guadalcanal. This was where the US reached the Philippines. The Marianas islands were the perfect place for bombers to attack mainland japan with atomic bombs.
The Allied Halting of Hitler
Know: Wolf Packs, Enigma, Erwin Rommel, Bernard Montgomery, El Alamein, Battle of Stalingrad
11. "The war against Hitler looked much better at the end of 1942 than it had in the beginning." Explain.
German U boats communicated using the enigma codes. After these codes were broken, U boat Wolf Packs could be easily found. The Battle of the Atlantic helped the Allies gain control over the ocean. General Erwin Rommel was winning in Africa but he was stopped by Bernard Montgomery at the Battle of Alamein. The Russians also stopped the Germans at the battle of Stalingrad.
A Second Front from North Africa to Rome
Know: Soft Underbelly of Europe, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Casablanca, Sicily
12. Describe the purpose and outcome of the Invasion of North Africa.
Winston Churchill wanted to attack Africa first. This was called the soft underbelly of Europe. This plan was put into motion by Dwight D. Eisenhower. They pushed the Germans out of North Africa. The Casablanca Conference set plans for Germany during the War. The Allies then took over Italy and Sicily which caused Mussolini to surrender Italy. Attacking Italy was used as a diversion for D-Day.
D-Day: June 6, 1944
Know: Teheran, D-Day, Normandy, George Patton
13. Why could June 6, 1944 be considered THE turning point of the war?
At the Tehran Conference, Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill met to plan their attack. This also planned D-Day. D-day was the invasion of Normandy, France on June 6ht, 1944. This was the largest assault in history that was commanded by General George S. Patton. This led to the liberation of Paris.
FDR: The Fourth-Termite of 1944
Know: Thomas Dewey, Henry Wallace, Harry S Truman
14. Why was the choice of a vice-presidential candidate important and difficult for the democrats in 1944?
The Republican party nominated Thomas E. Dewey in the election of 1944. However, FDR was nominated again. This led to the nomination of Harry S Truman as his vice president for the Democrats.
Roosevelt Defeats Dewey
Know: Fala
15. What factors led to Roosevelt's victory over Dewey?
Dewey campaigned against Roosevelt and his administration through call his presidency the Twelve Long Years. FDR did not need to campaign much. He got most of his money and funding through the CIO and PAC. FDR won again because of his success in leadership during the war.
The Last Days of Hitler
Know: Battle of the Bulge, "Nuts," Elbe River, Holocaust, V-E Day
16. Describe the last six months of war in Europe.
Hitler’s army was retreating but wanted once last bush. The result was the Battle of the Bulge. The Americans were trapped at Bastogne and when they were asked to surrender, the reply was “Nuts”. When reinforcements came by the Elbe River, the US won the battle of the Bulge. On the way to Germany, they discovered the Holocaust and death camps. When hitler killed himself, Germany surrendered after that. This was called VE day
Japan Dies Hard
Know: Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Kamikazes
17. Explain the meaning of the title of this section.
Japan did not surrender after Germany did. America was destroying merchant ships and bombing Japanese cities. Iwo Jima was a strategic location on the way to Japan. This provided an airstrip to Japan. Okinawa was the next target. After it fell, the Japanese used kamikaze as a last ditch effort to win.
The Atomic Bombs
Know: Potsdam, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Hirohito
18. What was the military impact of the atomic bomb?
At the Potsdam conference, President Truman decided that Japan had to surrender of be destroyed. FDR convinced many German Scientists to work on the Atomic Bomb. The first one was dropped on Hiroshima and the second one was dropped on Nagasaki. This led to Japan’s surrender 10 days later.
The Allies Triumphant
Know: George Marshall
19. "This complex conflict was the best fought war in America's history." Explain
America lost 1 million casualties in WW2. This was small compared to other countries because of improved medication. Also, the homeland was untouched and the US did not have to rebuild. It brought the US out of debt and the nation was very well managed by its leaders.
Varying Viewpoints: The Atomic Bombs: Were They Justified?
20. What questions concerning WWII have historians attempted to answer?
Historians have attempted to answer whether the Atomic Bombs were justified. I think dropping two atomic bombs was unjustified. This led to too many unnecessary civilian casualties. One is enough to get the message across and to keep civilian casualties at a minimum. Although it got Japan to surrender and end WW2, I think one atomic bomb was enough
A. Philip Randolph
A. Philip Randolph was a leader of the African American Civil Rights movement in the 1940s. He was a socialist and created the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. He also led the movement for FDR to ban discrimination in labor in 1941 during World War 2.
George S. Patton
George S. Patton was the general of the US Army during WWII. He commanded the 7th US Army and later the 3rd US army in Europe during WW2. He attended Virginia Military institute and the US Military Academy.
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was born in March 14,1879. He was a German theoretical physicist who created the theory of relativity and was best known for quantum physics. He also received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.
Office of Price Administration
The Office of Price Administration was created by the US governemt on August 28, 1941 to control money and rent during WWII. FDR passed this to stabilize and control the economy during war.
Fair Employment Practice Commission
The Fair Employment Practices Commission was created by Executive Order 8802. This was used to help minorities, especially African Americans, to get jobs during the war. It was part of the Fair Employment Practices Committee.
D-Day
D-Day was the landing of Normandy, France by the allied forces. It was on June 6, 1944. It was the largest amphibious landing is history. It was part of Operation Overlord and the retaking of Europe.
V-E Day
V-E Day was victory Europe Day. It was on May 8th, 1945. This was when Germany formally surrendered and ended Hitler’s Third Reich. This happened after Hitler committed suicide on April 30th.
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was created to make atomic bombs during WW2. It included the US, UK, and Canada. It was led by General Leslie Groves of the US Army Engineer corp. It created the bombs used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Braceros
This was a program between the US and Mexico. It was started by FDR to import Mexican immigrants to work in the US. This was finialized by President Manuel Avila Camacho of Mexico on 1947.
Guided Reading Questions
The Allies Trade Space for Time
Know: Germany First
1. "America's task was far more complex and back-breaking [in World War II] than in World War I." Explain.
Pearl Harbor brought America out of isolationism. America wanted war with Japan first but FDR wanted to fight Germany first. This was because they had to fight Germany to save Britain or else Europe was lost. This changed industry for total war and helped the economy. FDR called this plan Germany First.
The Shock of War
Know: Axis Powers, Internment Camps, Korematsu v. U.S.
2. How did the war affect liberal ideals and goals at home?
Most of the US hated Japanese Americans. Many were sent to internment camps to protect them from rogues on the street. The other motive was distrust. The Japanese Americans were repaid through Korematsu v US where each family was given $20,000 dollars back for being in the internment camps.
Building the War Machine
Know: War Production Board, War Labor Board
3. What effects did the war have on manufacturing, agriculture and labor?
The Great Depression was ended by the war. More than $100 billion was made in 1942. The War Production Board took control of industry and made everything more focused on war and not civilian needs. They controlled passenger cars, gasoline, and rubber. This also helped agriculture because new equipment was invented to increase harvest. People also got jobs because labor unions could not strike and wages were lowered to increase the amount of jobs available.
Makers of America: The Japanese
Know: Matthew Perry, Meiji Government, Picture Brides, Gentleman's Agreement, Issei, Nissei
4. In what way can it be said that the reason's for Japanese immigrants' success also caused them trouble?
Japanese immigrants had a lot of success in US up until the point of Pearl Harbor. This made many of them under suspicion. Because the US was suspicious of spies in the Western states, many Japanese were put into camps to keep them away from the American public so they could not help Japan.
Manpower and Womanpower
Know: WAACS, WAVES, SPARS, GI, Braceros, Rosie the Riveter
5. What opportunities were opened to women as a result of the war?
216000 women served in WWII. The most famous were in the WAACS, WAVES, and SPARS. Women took up male jobs when they left for the war. These included industry jobs that built tanks, planes, and ships. These women were called Rosie the Riveter. They gained respect and proved themselves.
Wartime Migrations
Know: A. Philip Randolph, Fair Employment Practices Commission, Double V, CORE, Code Talkers, Zoot Suit Riots
6. What effect did the war have on the nation's minorities?
African Americans moved to the North and the West during WWII. A. Philip Randolph led them to Washington and fought against discrimination. FDR banned discrimination in response. Fair Employment Practices Commission enforced the discrimination ban. Blacks were given jobs such as cooks and truck drivers and when the war was won, they declared Double V. Double V was victory against racism and overseas. Native Americans were used as Code Talkers during the war because their language could not be deciphered.
Holding the Homefront
7. What economic effects resulted from American participation in the war?
The US came out of the depression. Profits and product was increased. Also income was increased. However, the nation’s debt increased to $259 billion. Many people were forced to pay more taxes but some paid on credit.
The Rising Sun in the Pacific
Know: Douglas MacArthur, Bataan Death March
8. Describe Japanese victories in the Pacific in the months following Pearl Harbor.
After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, they overtook and captured Guam, Wake Island, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaya, Burma, East Indies, and much of China. Douglas MacArthur was the general that was supposed to defend the Philippines. However, he failed and the Bataan Death March was the result.
Japan's High Tide at Midway
Know: Battle of the Coral Sea, Midway, Chester Nimitz
9. Why was Midway an important battle?
The first big battle between Japan and the US was the Battle of the Coral Sea. This was fought with aircraft carriers. Adm. Chester Nimitz led the US fleet into the Battle of Midway. They surprised the Japanese and sunk 4 of their aircraft carriers. The Battle of Midway was important because that was where Japanese expansion was stopped.
American Leapfrogging Toward Tokyo
Know: Guadalcanal, Island Hopping, Guam
10. What strategy did the United States use to defeat the Japanese?
The strategy the US used was to take islands around Japan. This was called island-hopping and its objective was to take islands and build airbases on them. One of the most important victories in this campaign was Guadalcanal. This was where the US reached the Philippines. The Marianas islands were the perfect place for bombers to attack mainland japan with atomic bombs.
The Allied Halting of Hitler
Know: Wolf Packs, Enigma, Erwin Rommel, Bernard Montgomery, El Alamein, Battle of Stalingrad
11. "The war against Hitler looked much better at the end of 1942 than it had in the beginning." Explain.
German U boats communicated using the enigma codes. After these codes were broken, U boat Wolf Packs could be easily found. The Battle of the Atlantic helped the Allies gain control over the ocean. General Erwin Rommel was winning in Africa but he was stopped by Bernard Montgomery at the Battle of Alamein. The Russians also stopped the Germans at the battle of Stalingrad.
A Second Front from North Africa to Rome
Know: Soft Underbelly of Europe, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Casablanca, Sicily
12. Describe the purpose and outcome of the Invasion of North Africa.
Winston Churchill wanted to attack Africa first. This was called the soft underbelly of Europe. This plan was put into motion by Dwight D. Eisenhower. They pushed the Germans out of North Africa. The Casablanca Conference set plans for Germany during the War. The Allies then took over Italy and Sicily which caused Mussolini to surrender Italy. Attacking Italy was used as a diversion for D-Day.
D-Day: June 6, 1944
Know: Teheran, D-Day, Normandy, George Patton
13. Why could June 6, 1944 be considered THE turning point of the war?
At the Tehran Conference, Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill met to plan their attack. This also planned D-Day. D-day was the invasion of Normandy, France on June 6ht, 1944. This was the largest assault in history that was commanded by General George S. Patton. This led to the liberation of Paris.
FDR: The Fourth-Termite of 1944
Know: Thomas Dewey, Henry Wallace, Harry S Truman
14. Why was the choice of a vice-presidential candidate important and difficult for the democrats in 1944?
The Republican party nominated Thomas E. Dewey in the election of 1944. However, FDR was nominated again. This led to the nomination of Harry S Truman as his vice president for the Democrats.
Roosevelt Defeats Dewey
Know: Fala
15. What factors led to Roosevelt's victory over Dewey?
Dewey campaigned against Roosevelt and his administration through call his presidency the Twelve Long Years. FDR did not need to campaign much. He got most of his money and funding through the CIO and PAC. FDR won again because of his success in leadership during the war.
The Last Days of Hitler
Know: Battle of the Bulge, "Nuts," Elbe River, Holocaust, V-E Day
16. Describe the last six months of war in Europe.
Hitler’s army was retreating but wanted once last bush. The result was the Battle of the Bulge. The Americans were trapped at Bastogne and when they were asked to surrender, the reply was “Nuts”. When reinforcements came by the Elbe River, the US won the battle of the Bulge. On the way to Germany, they discovered the Holocaust and death camps. When hitler killed himself, Germany surrendered after that. This was called VE day
Japan Dies Hard
Know: Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Kamikazes
17. Explain the meaning of the title of this section.
Japan did not surrender after Germany did. America was destroying merchant ships and bombing Japanese cities. Iwo Jima was a strategic location on the way to Japan. This provided an airstrip to Japan. Okinawa was the next target. After it fell, the Japanese used kamikaze as a last ditch effort to win.
The Atomic Bombs
Know: Potsdam, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Hirohito
18. What was the military impact of the atomic bomb?
At the Potsdam conference, President Truman decided that Japan had to surrender of be destroyed. FDR convinced many German Scientists to work on the Atomic Bomb. The first one was dropped on Hiroshima and the second one was dropped on Nagasaki. This led to Japan’s surrender 10 days later.
The Allies Triumphant
Know: George Marshall
19. "This complex conflict was the best fought war in America's history." Explain
America lost 1 million casualties in WW2. This was small compared to other countries because of improved medication. Also, the homeland was untouched and the US did not have to rebuild. It brought the US out of debt and the nation was very well managed by its leaders.
Varying Viewpoints: The Atomic Bombs: Were They Justified?
20. What questions concerning WWII have historians attempted to answer?
Historians have attempted to answer whether the Atomic Bombs were justified. I think dropping two atomic bombs was unjustified. This led to too many unnecessary civilian casualties. One is enough to get the message across and to keep civilian casualties at a minimum. Although it got Japan to surrender and end WW2, I think one atomic bomb was enough